Editor’s note: Windows Live Mail is a discontinued email client from Microsoft. This article is kept for archival purposes only.
To open email from an @outlook.com or @hotmail.com email address, configure Windows Live Mail to communicate with the appropriate email server. To do this, enter the correct IMAP and SMTP server during account setup. Windows Live Mail uses these servers to download and send email on your behalf.
If you connect Windows Live Mail to your Outlook Mail account, you cannot sync your contacts or calendar.
Access Outlook Mail and Hotmail through Windows Live Mail
The steps to add an email account to Windows Live Mail are the same regardless of the email address you use. Unlike some email providers, Outlook and Hotmail use the same IMAP and SMTP servers.
Go to the Windows Live Mail ribbon and select accounts.
Choose E-mail. The Add your email accounts window opens.
Enter your email address, password, and display name for messages you send.
Choose Remember this password check box.
Choose Configure server settings manually check box.
Choose Next.
Choose server type and choose IMAP.
In which Incoming server information go to the section server address and enter imap-mail.outlook.com.
Choose Requires a secure connection (SSL) check box.
In which Harbor text field, enter 993.
Choose Authenticate with and choose plain text.
In which Login username Enter your full email address in the text box. For example, enter [email protected] for an Outlook mail account [email protected] pour hotmail.
In which Outgoing server information go to the section server address and enter smtp-mail.outlook.com. In which Harbor text field, enter 587.
Choose Requires a secure connection (SSL) etc Authentication Required check box.
Choose Next.
Choose End.
Other ways to open your email
Windows Live Mail is no longer updated by Microsoft, so it cannot receive security patches or feature updates. Other programs can also be used to download and send emails that are updated with the latest features.
For example, the Microsoft Mail and Outlook programs are email clients that work similarly to Windows Live Mail. A few other popular options are Thunderbird and Mailbird. Your phone can also access email without requiring any additional options. You can configure email on iPhone and Android.
You can also access your Hotmail or Outlook mail account online without a program. Visit outlook.com to sign in to either account.